The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1887-08-17

connected with Iron BANDS.
South Haven and Paw Paw are two of the
Oldest towns in the county, and yet their in
habitants have always been comparative
strangers to each other, owing to their lack
Of facilities for intercourse with one another,
the only methods of communication having
been either by a long, tedious drive of over
thirty miles across the country or railroad
ride of twice that distance around by the way
of Kalamazoo, involving a ride on three
different trains.
The completion of the marrow gauge"
removes this difficulty and brings the two
towns in direct communication with each
other and will, without doubt, result in
their better acquaintance and fuller realz-
alton that they belong to the same county.
We enjoyed the pleasure on Saturday last,
of being one of a party of invited guests who
filled the two coaches that constituted the
first passenger train that ever ran over the
road from Lawton TO South Haven Ii was
special train under the personal supervis-
ion of Supt. Thing, who spared no pains to
make the trip an enjoyable one, in which he
was entirely successful The train left Law
ton about seven o'clock q. m. On arriving
at Hartford quite halt was made, while
John explained TO the curious the mysteries
of the new "block switch" at the crossing of
the two roads. an arrangement that would
seem 10 render all accident almost or quite
impossible.
Resuming our course from Hartford, we
passed for few miles. through an excellent
country, but soon struck low lands, and
thence nearly all the way to South Haven the
road is built "in the woods" We arrived at
our destination at 1920 o'clock under the
escort of the irrepressible Ed. Stewart, who
was on hand TO meet us at Hartford, armed
with his little Ratchet, bearing its significant
but alas we fear misleading legend, Il can
not tell lie
South Haven people had no knowledge
that train load of people were coming TO
visit them and made many excuses because
they were wholly unprepared to receive and
entertain them; but that didn't make any
difference to the visitors, who at once separ-
ated and prepared to entertain themselves by
doing the town."
The lake, the park, the L. s. life saving
station, the drives that were given them by
the South Haven people and the other adj
vantages of Van Buren's pleasant and popu-
lar summer resort afforded ample opportun-
ity for all to enjoy themselves during the few
hours of their stay. Excellent dinners were
provided at the different hotels, To which
ample justice was done. 1t was our fortune
to be the guest of mine host, l.. j. Brown of
the Pacific house, and the manner in which
we were entertained warrants us in saying
that those who patronize that institution will
not regret IT. We have but one criticism to
make; the good looking lady waiter at our
table got the "razzle-dazzle' and seemed
| somewhat illustrated on account, we presume,
| of the big crowd and its astonishing appetite.
No one will be surprised at this when we
state that Capt. Prentice and Gene Mcneil
of Lawton, were both at her table.
After dinner, through the courtesy of the
Messenger and Mr.. II. j. Edgell, we were
permitted to enjoy pleasant drive of several
miles down the lake shore, past beautiful
residences, hundreds of acres of peach or
chards and fields of corn that looked as
though the drouth had had but little effect
on them and that will yield good crops. A
ride through that country discloses at once
the secret OF South Ravens prosperity and
serves to convince the beholder that such
prosperity must continue to develope and
increase in the future to greater extent
than ever before. Returning, we were driven
to the life saving station, where the interest
ing features of that humane institution were
as fully explained To us by Mr.. Murray, one
of the gentlemen connected with the service.
as our limited time would permit. Reaching
the town again, we parted with Mr. Edgell,
who gave Us pressing invitation, of which
we intend some day to avail ourself, to come
again and spend longer time with the hos
pitable people of our sister village.
At $3.50, the train started on its return and,
on reaching Covert, stopped long enough for
the visitors, many of whom had never before
visited the place, TO look it over and learn
that there is a fiourishing village down there
of whose very existence they had no know
ledge except in name.
The track of the new road is in much bet
ter condition than might have been expected
and, by the time regular trains begin to run
which, we understand. will be the first OF
next week, il will be ballasted and leveled ur
in good shape for business. The grading
over nearly the entire route is very light
much less than on any other section of the
road.
On arriving at Lake Cora, the train was
delayed twenty minutes, in order TO give the
passengers an opportunity to look over the
beauties of that pleasant resort. Many i'm
provements have been made there during the
summer, among which we noticed that the
rink has been converted into elegantly fur
nished sleeping rooms a new billiard hal
has been constructed separate from the hotel
GlcBuHI HCW COIthSC hdo btSh bhiib io
Mr.. Clark, president of the road, a new stor,
building erected, new barn, etc, etc, making
Lake Cora one of the most complete ant
elegant summer resorts in Michigan. Mr.
, Wynkoop, the proprietor of the house anC
grounds, informs us that, at times, ever.
room at his disposal is occupied.
We reached home ct six o'clock p. m.
after one of the most enjoyable days we eve
experienced. The only uncomfortable cir
cumstance we recall is that when we looke'
) at that thermometer that hung on the hote
porch at South Haven, we found it to mari
145 in the shade, and the mercury trying
TO get out at the top of the instrument. Ha'
there been a hole there, il would have stucl
out an inch or more, without doubt. This
after we had read so much in the Senttn,
! about the cool lake breeze, sadly weakene
the implicit confidence we had hitherto re
posed in the truthfulness and integrity of tn
man with the hatchet"